The human mind invents its Puss-in-Boots and its coaches that change into pumpkins at midnight because neither the believer nor the atheist is completely satisfied with appearances.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humans invent myths and stories because reality alone is unsatisfying.
- In plain terms
- We tell stories because we aren't happy with just how things look.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize that stories fulfill a need beyond factual appearance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What stories do you tell to find meaning?
- Is reality enough?
Another view
Some people are fully satisfied with appearances and reject myths.
More from Andre Malraux
No one can endure his own solitude.
Permalink to quote #1 Our civilization : is not devaluing its awareness of the unknowable; nor is it deifying it. It is the first civilization that has severed it from religion and …
Permalink to quote #3 If a man is not ready to risk his life, where is his dignity?
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
Things we are accustomed to regard as myth or fairy story are very much present in people's lives. Nice people behave like wicked stepmothers. Every day.-'Abou…
Diana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne Jones quote #1 The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it.
George CarlinGeorge Carlin quote #143 We do not retreat from reality, we rediscover it. As long as the story lingers in our mind, the real things are more themselves... By dipping them in myth we s…
C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis quote #173